St Catherine Chapel is located to the west of the St Francis of Assisi Church, in
Old Goa. It is dedicated to St Catherine.
Built in 1510, it is built on the spot where stood the gates of the city under the Muslim rule. It was built by Afonso de Albuquerque - a Portuguese ruler - to commemorate his entry into the city after defeating the Mohammedans on St Catherine's Day. There is an inscribed slab mentioning this event. The church was rebuilt in 1552.
This chapel is built of laterite blocks and it has a tower on either side of the facade. A statue of Our Lady can be seen at the entrance. The interior boasts a beautiful altar, on which stands another statue of Our Lady of Piety. The annual festival of the church draws people from far and near.
